Passion and the Pursuit of Meaning

What are you passionate about?

What means the most to you?

What makes you happy?

What drives you to search more and harder and longer for an answer to your question?

What is the meaning behind it all?

Is there some main theme that we can all be a part of?

Is there some main thought framework that weaves itself into the fabric of our lives, that we can then hang on?

If we run out of logic, will life still go on?

What is the most important thing?

How do we set our priorities?

More questions than answers.

In Man's Search for Meaning, Victor Frankl shows that while meaning might change, man's search for it remains the same.

Now I must work at doing something worthwhile.

I must search for meaning.

I must work toward our shared meaning and worthwhile work.

Passion and the Pursuit of Meaning

What are you passionate about?

What means the most to you?

What makes you happy?

What drives you to search more and harder and longer for an answer to your question?

What is the meaning behind it all?

Is there some main theme that we can all be a part of?

Is there some main thought framework that weaves itself into the fabric of our lives, that we can then hang on?

If we run out of logic, will life still go on?

What is the most important thing?

How do we set our priorities?

More questions than answers.

In Man's Search for Meaning, Victor Frankl shows that while meaning might change, man's search for it remains the same.

Now I must work at doing something worthwhile.

I must search for meaning.

I must work toward our shared meaning and worthwhile work.

This is where it all began.

This is where I began to be myself.

Completely and totally myself. Without care or worry of repercussions.

I am interested in becoming myself completely. I am interested in being myself completely.

And the funny thing is, I am succeeding.

I just want to create, I just want to make something all my own, on my own, for no real reason other than I can, and I need to express myself.

So now I am writing this, and I am trying to summon the feeling of being inspired to create something new. The feeling is there, that is for sure.

Inspiration comes to those who don't wait for it.

So where am I heading? What is my end game result that I am looking for?

I can do almost anything. I have the ability. But the only thing I want to do is to make stuff and share it. That is what I want to do with my life. Make things and share them. By being myself, by sharing my essence with the world I am able to even more fully become myself.

It is all a matter of three ingredients: time, energy, and focus. I have plenty of all three, enough to make something magical happen in my life.

It is really just a matter of time until I achieve my goals. I know what I want and I am starting to make it happen. It may take a long time, in fact it may take forever, but I have forever to wait if necessary, to allow myself to be completely and totally myself in all situations and interactions.

I have to not be afraid. I have to be courageous.

It is an important step for me to know that being myself is acceptable. Being myself is okay. Being myself is desired. Being myself is the only way I will be able to learn and let the right things go, and hold on to those which I cherish.

I know what to do.

I know how to do it.

I know what to think and be.

Myself.

My own version of my own person.

But this is where it starts. This is the beginning.

This is where it all began.

Where did it start for you?

Where were you when you started to bloom?

Do you remember? Can you remember where and when it all began for you?

The Secret of Change: Some Words of Encouragement

"The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new." - Dan Millman (Socrates)

Do you want to change? Must you change? Focus then. Not on the past, but on the present and your dream of the future. Focus singularly on the tasks you have before you that will build the stepping stones to get you to where you want to be.

Keep doing that which makes you different. Not different from others, but different from the old you, different from who you used to be in the past, who you no longer are.

Keep building on the new you. Keep forging forward in the face of the onslaught of pressure to keep the status quo. There is no same, there is always a difference, and you are it.

Become that which you want to be. Embrace the changes that come with all the energy you expend on being who you truly are.

Do not look back. Move forward. Step sure-footed in the direction of your destiny. You may misstep, but you will learn from your mistake and correct your path.

"Be the change that you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Ghandi

Embody change. Become a changeling. Become a change ninja, able to adapt with the shifting of the wind, able to overcome your own limitations.

Embrace the new. Reach out and touch the future through the present. You are here, and now is the time. NOW is the time!

"One reason people resist change is because they focus on what they have to give up, instead of what they have to gain." - Rick Godwin

What will change bring? Differences. Variety. Spice. Something new. Something unexpected.

Are you ready for change?

How can you ever be prepared for actions whose results you cannot predict?

Just be ready to be ready. Because change is coming. And you are going to bring it. You are going to bring the house.

So build the new. Build what you need to build. Make what you need to make. No one else is coming along to do it for you. It all lies with you.

"When we break, we'll wait for our miracle, God is a place you will wait for the rest of your life." - Jeff Mangum

Become the person you were born to be. Only you know who that is. Only you get to decide who you are. Make and become that person.

You are a winner. You are a changeling.  You are the sum and more of all your internal changes, and you are getting ready to explode into full bloom. Be there for your show, as you display the new you.

The secret of change is not a secret at all. Go out and make the changes you need to make. Become the person you are meant to be, whoever that might be.

Who I Am and What I Am About

Inspired by a question I was recently asked to define myself, and by Mighty Oak Barbell's video, I have decided to delimit and describe who I am, and what I am about. The word delimit is used on purpose, because I have thought through most of my life, that by defining myself, I would be limiting any possibilities. Choosing one path prevents us from walking another. And so many times, I have not decided on a path to take, and yet, that is choosing a path as well. And who is to say we can't alter or change our direction once we have made a decision in life? It is a learning and growing process. This is...

Who I Am and What I Am About

My name is Dave Brey and I have lived for almost thirty-six years. I have seen, done, learned and forgotten millions of things. I have created new synapses and killed brain cells. I have formed new habits and held onto old ones. I have learned about myself and about others through trial and error, and through it all there has always been a pen, and there has always been paper.

There may have been computers and typewriters and keyboards and laptops and all sorts of writing technology, but even still, through it all there has been pen and paper. 

Pens I get from the dollar store. Most paper I get from Staples. 

So what meaning does the pen and paper give to my life?

Writing with pen and paper allows me to express myself. It allows me to jot down my thoughts and get better at thinking by creating a connection between the mental idea and the physical written words. So am I an author? I have written a book, so maybe I am. But certainly, I am a writer. I have twenty notebooks, a hundred and fifty blog posts and umpteen half-finished electronically written ideas and journal entries.

Do I get paid to write? I have been paid to write, and been paid by my writing, but I don't make a living at it. Even so, I am certain that I am a writer.

I am a reader. I like to read many things, though lately I am on a non-fiction kick. Reading helps to inform my way of thinking, expands my universe, and allows me to travel the world from the comfort of my home. I love to share what I am reading and have read with others, and to hear from them what they are reading also.

I also play guitar. I sing. I love to make music, by playing someone else's songs or creating my own. So, I am a musician. I am not as skilled as I would like to be, but I am light years ahead of where I started. I don't know the ins and outs of music theory or the fret board, but I am a musician. It is certain.

Do I make money from my musical endeavors? I do not, but I have in the past, and could potentially again in the future. But I don't make my living through music. However, that makes me no less of a musician.

I am passionate about reading, writing and playing music; reading books I find interesting or someone has recommended to me, writing thoughts, poems and prose, and covering or writing original music. That is what I do with all my free time.

So, who am I? I am a writer, a reader, and a musician.

What am I about? I am about learning on this journey of life. I am about developing my sense of self as I move through life. I am about trying to become a better and more well-rounded reader, writer, and musician. These are the things that I am about.

Now, what do I do? For a living? Something completely different. 

Ultimately, I would like to make what I am and what I am about what I do; to marry the three areas together is a lifetime goal of mine. And I am making progress. That is true. I am making progress. But it is slow going. So I will continue to do what I do in order to provide for my family, lifestyle, and for my passions. 

So, let's sum it all up again.

Who am I?

What am I about?

I am Dave Brey, a writer, reader and musician, passionate about creating writing and music that helps others through this journey of life.

That is who I am, and that is what I am about.

Nostalgia (or Zen and the Art of Time Travel)

There was a time when...

we were born 

we were young 

all we did was enjoy ourselves

all that mattered was the joy we felt around us

we were at one with the world

the world was at one with us

the most interesting thing in life was the moment we breathed and noticed

the least of our worries was worrying

all that was good was just good

the world did not revolve around us

the morning dew was wet and new

the Shamrock Shake had the greatest taste

our slippers were the only thing we put on out of bed all day

our dreams were greater than our worries

our thoughts were more often than not on others

we did not think twice about holding hands

our minds were not made up

thoughts did not control our lives

time flew by

we felt creative

we let ourselves shine

we pursued our passion

life was a joy to be lived

memories were not forgotten

we all shared something with someone somewhere

our greatest goals seemed achievable

we owed no one anything

we owed everyone everything

we burned with energy

we slept like babies

we learned to read

we learned to write

we did not think anything of learning something new

we were not afraid

we were not sick

we did not get tired

we burned brighter than the sun

we lived life on our own terms

we spent as much time outside as possible

we watched the sun go down

we watched the sun come up

we learned how to share

we did not know what a fake smile was

we went with the flow

We cannot go back in time, but we can repeat the past. Harvest your memories. Share yourself. Shine your light. By embracing yesterday, make tomorrow brighter than today.

Living with Passion

Passion. What is passion?

The real question is what is passion to me? It is a way of living, a way of experiencing life that infuses every moment with a sense of urgency and importance.

To live passionately then is to have a sense of urgency and importance in every moment. As I breathe, as I move, as I work and as I play. A passionate life is one in which every action is infused with passion, with a sense of purpose and importance.

Can I say that I live my life passionately? No, I cannot say that. I am reserved. I deter my emotions from breaking the surface of my actions. My actions are robotic at times, without fanfare or flourish. Is the fact that I don't live passionately something that I can change? I think that it is. I believe I and anyone can learn to live with passion.

After all, passion is not something external that needs to be acquired or caught and applied; passion comes from within. Passion is something intrinsic in all of us.

The goal then can be to tap into what it is that I am passionate about. What am I passionate about?

I am passionate about writing. I love to write my thoughts down on paper and share them with the world.

I am passionate about music. I love to write songs and let my creativity flow that way, naturally in lyrics and song.

I am passionate about sharing. I think through sharing we are able to learn from each other's mistakes and successes.

I am passionate about helping others learn and grow. I enjoy seeing people's minds click when they have learned a new task or skill. I love to see people grow beyond what they thought possible.

But I hold myself back from much that I am passionate about. I do not devote the time or energy necessary to writing, creating music or sharing. I am reserved and shy around people most of the time, choosing to allow others to have the spotlight if they want it, keeping me from moving a group or individual forward on a learning path.

How can I change to become more passionate in the way I live my dreams and in my day to day life?

1. Write and share regularly
Just by writing here and sharing my thoughts I am encouraging myself to fulfill one of my passions. At first, and maybe always, it does not matter if the writing is any good. It can get better with time and practice.

2. Create music and share regularly
I know that smoking regularly is really putting a damper on my musical output. I also do not take or make the time or energy to practice my music. I can make more time for music in my life. I can even just listen to more music.

3. I can help others learn and grow, especially my children.
I can teach them everything I know, whether it seems useful or not. I can watch them learn, and watch them grow. I can be less anxious and be more involved with others in my life and allow them to learn from me and life and grow within themselves.

Living with passion is not something I will start doing in the blink of an eye. It will take time to come out of my shell. That is what I am recording here, the metamorphosis of one individual from living one way, to living another. And the way I choose to live is with passion, with a sense of urgency, purpose and importance in all that I think and do.